Future Technology

The Berkley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (bleex) uses electric motors to offset the weight of a pack. Allowing loads of 100 pounds to seem to weigh a mere 5 lbs. The Bleex has sensors and actuators that adjust the weight while walking. This not only has future applications for the military and firefighters but also prosthetics.

In the future, the best of of biology will be combined with the best technology. The vision of the leaders in the field of biomechatronics seems unlimited. Read what Dr. Hugh Herr is saying:

"So, we might want to think that someday the prosthetic hand, for example, would be this hybrid device where we´d use synthetic components only where synthetic components are better than biological components." (9)

"Even today, some people pity those with disabilities. In the future, [the disabled] will be physically more capable. And then, being physically unique will no longer inspire pity. It'll be unique and even sexy." (10)

"To summarize, advances in muscle-like actuators, neuroprostheses, and biomimetic control strategies are necessary to increase the merging of body and machine to create an intimacy between the human body and prostheses. It´s our thesis that such an intimacy will create a paradigm shift in this area of medicine." (11)